Governance

Palmerston North is governed by a city council which consists of a mayor and 15 councillors.
Previously for representation purposes, the city was divided into five wards (previously 6, however, 2 wards amalgamated). In April 2013, the Local Government Commission abolished the wards and therefore the city will elect its council on a citywide basis.

Elections for Mayor and local government occur nationwide every three years, with the next election to take place in 2019. The 2013 election saw the Single Transferable Voting (STV) system introduced, replacing plurality voting (First past the post-FPP).